Growing Okra in Pots is a rewarding process as it allows you to grow this nutritious vegetable in compact spaces.
Want to grow Okra in Pots, then read this detailed guide for easy tips and tricks for cultivating this delicious vegetable in your home. It offers great health benefits, too.
Botanical Name: Abelmoschus esculentus
USDA Zones: 2-11
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Okra Information
Okra is cultivated for its edible seed pods and is also employed as an annual ornamental plant for its visually appealing flowers. The okra plant is a perennial species native to dry tropical regions, displaying an upright, branching growth pattern. It grows quite tall, reaching 6 to 8 feet in height. The flowers, typically yellow or white with purplish centers, precede the elongated seed pods, which are harvested as the okra fruit. These seed pods can grow up to 7 inches long, containing white seeds in a pentagon-shaped chambered structure. Due to their gummy mucilage, the seed pods are commonly used to thicken stews and serve various culinary purposes.
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Best Okra Varieties to Grow in Pots
- Cajun Delight
- Baby Bubba Hybrid
- Star of David
- Baby Bubba Hybrid
- Blondy
- Perkins Long Pod
- Clemson Spineless
- Silver Queen
How to Propagate Okra in Pots
To grow okra, start by obtaining the seeds. While any okra variety can be grown in a pot, it’s advisable to opt for a dwarf variety. If you’re in a region with short summers, look for varieties that mature early.
Plant okra when temperatures consistently stay above 55-60°F (13-16°C) and the risk of frost has passed. If you reside in USDA Zones 9-11 or other subtropical or tropical areas, you can grow okra throughout the year.
Because of its long taproot, okra doesn’t transplant easily. It’s best to plant the seeds directly in the container or use a biodegradable pot. Plant 2-3 okra seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep in each pot, water with a sprayer, and place the seeds in a bright, warm location. Keep the substrate moist until the seeds germinate.
Germination typically occurs 5 to 14 days after sowing.
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Best Pot Size for Growing Okra
To grow okra in a pot, choose a container that is at least 10-12 inches wide, deep, and made of any material. If you live in a cold climate, opt for a black-colored pot since okra thrives in heat, and black absorbs it. Ensure the container has good drainage, and promptly empty the saucer if it accumulates water.
Use a quality organic potting mix, and maintain the soil lightly moist, avoiding saturation. It’s advisable to choose a smaller okra variety for container cultivation.
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Ideal Growing Conditions for Okra in Pots
Light
Keep the pots where they get full sun for up to 5-6 hours. Similar to peppers and tomatoes, okra needs a lot of sunlight to form fruits.
Soil
Use crumbly, loamy, well-draining soil. You can go with a soilless potting mix, which is enriched with organic matter. Blend the soil with aged cow manure or compost for a consistent supply of nutrients.
Water
Potted okra plants prefer slightly moist soil for proper growth. Water the plant frequently to maintain the soil moisture and more from the start of the blooming period until fruit production. Ensure the soil does not turn dry entirely.
Temperature
Okra plants need warmth; they can grow in the temperature above 50 F (10 C). The required temperature for flowering and fruit formation has to be around 70-95 F (21-35 C).
The plant can handle higher temperatures but fails to grow when the temperature drops.
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Okra Plant Care
Fertilizer
Add manure to the soil for an extra boost of nutrients. Side-dressing the plant is also a great option. Apply balanced fertilizer during the time of planting. When the plant grows up to 5-6 inches tall, feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer again.
Remember that if the soil is nitrogen-rich, it encourages vegetative growth and affects fruiting.
Afterward, fertilize the okra with NPK 5-10-15 or 6-12-12.
Pollination
Okra does not need pollination as it is self-pollinating.
Pinching and Topping
Pinch the top growth of young plants once or twice, only later, the okra does not need it as it can attain a height of 4-6 feet.
Pests and Diseases
Okra plants are vulnerable to aphids, fusarium wilt, nematode, mealybugs, and whiteflies. These pests can damage the plant, but by growing okra in pots, you can control this issue.
Harvesting Okra
Okra needs regular harvesting; it flowers approximately two months after planting. Fruits develop 5-7 days after flowering, but it’s necessary to wait until they reach 3-5 inches in length before harvesting.
As okra pods grow larger, they become stringy and tough. Harvest them early and regularly for optimal taste and to encourage the plant to produce more flowers and pods. The plants will continue producing pods throughout the summer, albeit in decreasing quantities. Harvesting pods consistently helps maintain production.
Okra plants have spines that can be scratchy and irritating, whether pronounced or hair-like. Wearing gloves and long sleeves is advisable. Using a pruner is easier than pulling with your fingers to avoid getting spines in your skin.
Like most vegetables, okra is best when freshly picked. Pods can be stored in the refrigerator for about one week, or they can be frozen, canned, or pickled.